Montreal: Veteran Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez led his team, Inter Miami, to a 1-0 victory over hosts Montreal on Saturday, in a match that marked the debut of his new Brazilian teammate, Casemiro, in Major League Soccer (MLS). Miami’s Argentine star, Lionel Messi, remains absent, resting after his participation in the World Cup.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Suarez scored the game’s only goal from a penalty kick in the 81st minute, securing the win for his team, after Miami’s Mexican international, Germ¡n Berterame, suffered a head injury. Berterame fell to the ground and remained motionless after a collision with Bolivian Efran Morales as they challenged for the ball. Players from both teams immediately called for assistance, and after receiving treatment from the medical staff and a lengthy delay to the match, Berterame was taken off the field by ambulance.
Miami’s Argentine coach, Guillermo Hoyos, later stated that Berterame was “doing well and conscious.” “His family was informed of everything. We didn’t know what to do; it was an extremely difficult situation,” he added. Suarez successfully converted the penalty awarded after the incident and celebrated by lifting Berterame’s jersey.
Casemiro, who has 91 caps for Brazil and won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid, made his debut for Miami this week after leaving Manchester United. The 34-year-old controlled the midfield throughout the match, but both teams struggled with the final touch in front of goal.
Messi and his Argentine teammate Rodrigo De Paul missed the game for the second consecutive week, following Argentina’s loss to Spain in last week’s World Cup final. MLS officials said on Saturday that Messi would not be obligated to participate in next week’s All-Star Game.